The 20-year-old picked up a knee injury in the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day of the Premier League campaign, and, according to the Sunday People, his recovery is taking longer than expected.

With competition for midfield places strong at the Emirates Stadium, it is far from ideal for England international, who is eyeing a spot in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The Gunners medical staff are hoping that he will return to training around mid-December, although it could take a few weeks before he is ready for first-team action.